The elusive leader was injured Nov. 28 but the Tigers -- who have been waging a bitter battle for years for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's Tamil-speaking minority -- are keeping the incident secret so as not to demoralize his supporters, the report said.

Prabhakaran, whose injuries were not believed to be serious, was being treated at a secret medical facility, the Nation reported.

Quoting informed Tamil sources, the report said the air attack was conducted by three Sri Lankan Air Force planes on suburban areas of Kilinochchi town in the north of the Indian Ocean island nation.

The report said at least one of the bombs hit an underground bunker where the Tiger leader was staying. Prabhakaran reportedly suffers from hypertension and diabetes as well.

The report said the Sri Lankan government does not appear to be aware of the incident.

Last month, the Tigers lost their political head S. P. Thamilselvan, who was killed in an air raid.